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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how I can be expected to pay this amount of money?

55 replies

XavierSaviour · 13/04/2019 16:42

Work need me to go on a training course.

It's 1.5 hours by car but 3.5 hours by train.

The train fees are £77.50 each way (work pay for a hotel if you'd have to leave before 6.30am to get there when it starts).

So, I'll have to pay around £160! Just to get there and back.

I can't afford this. It's a new job that I've just got so I'm really worried about bringing this up. I already had difficulty securely my offer due to a mix up but that's another story.

AIBU to wonder how I can be expected to pay this?

OP posts:
Kelsoooo · 13/04/2019 16:43

I'd fully expect any company to pay for these tickets. You need to ask your manager.

JustHereForThePooStoriesFella · 13/04/2019 16:43

Sure you’ll have expenses reimbursed?

Original poster
XavierSaviour · 13/04/2019 16:45

There's no mention of having the expenses paid back to me at all.

When I got all the detailed info about it, it just states about the hotel.

OP posts:
TheInvestigator · 13/04/2019 16:46

If the course is compulsory then they need to reimburse you. Just ask your manager for an expenses claim form for your travel or ask them to book your tickets.

AnnieMay100 · 13/04/2019 16:48

Send an email so you have it in writing asking about costs being reimbursed to you or if they will provide the train tickets beforehand. That’s a lot of money for them to expect you pay. I’d be inclined to tell them I couldn’t afford the travel and see what solution they have.

Comefromaway · 13/04/2019 16:48

I would expect either mileage from normal place of work to the venue to be paid or the train fayre to be reimbursed.

Purpleartichoke · 13/04/2019 16:48

Paying travel fees is normal. Either the cost of the train tickets or a standard reimbursement for using your own car.

Email back and ask for clarification. They probably didn’t include the part about reimbursement for travel because it is so standard. The hotel when the location is reasonably close would be the only thing needing clarification.

Theninjawhinger · 13/04/2019 16:49

It’s standard practice - ask your manager if they book it for you or if you expense it. They won’t be surprised or bothered, I promise!

Horsemenoftheaclopalypse · 13/04/2019 16:50

It is completely standard to expect them to reimburse travel.

I, as standard, offer to put travel for more junior people’s travel through on my company card (they don’t have them) so they are not out of pocket and don’t need to wait for the company to refund them.

I would ask whether it’s reimbursed or the company will paid upfront.

And if they aren’t paying I wouldn’t be going...

mysteryfairy · 13/04/2019 16:50

I’m sure your work will cover the costs but sometimes even this is an issue for some staff who can’t afford to pay out and claim back later so establish what the policy is.

Original poster
XavierSaviour · 13/04/2019 16:53

Okay, so, if they say it's reimbursed, what do I say? I can't afford to get the money back at a later date. I simply don't have it.

And, if they say it isn't paid for at all by them, what do I do then? It's 100% compulsory training, I believe

OP posts:
Meandwinealone · 13/04/2019 16:53

They probably haven’t mentioned it because it’s just standard. I’m surprised no one has mentioned the procedure to you

Meandwinealone · 13/04/2019 16:55

If you don’t have the money, usually it’s easy to get an advance for it. Or to get a company card to pay it.
Go to your line manager and just say I need an advance for the train fare and money for eating etc. No one has ever questioned me when asking for an advance, don’t go into details that you can’t afford it. It’s totally normal for people to be given money in advance.

I get it all the time, and I can afford it!!

JaneEyreAgain · 13/04/2019 16:56

Speak to your manager and HR. Ask for an advance and then reclaim the amount after you have been on the course. Go in with the assumption that it will be repaid rather than that you are asking for special treatment.

TheInvestigator · 13/04/2019 16:56

Just tell them that. They can't force you to spend your own money. The policy in my old workplace was to reimburse after but we had a new start who didn't have the money to pay out so one of the managers went and got her ticket with petty cash then sorted it out in the office after. So it's not always a strict policy.

BikeRunSki · 13/04/2019 16:56

There's no mention of having the expenses paid back to me at all.

Because it’s completely normal for the employer to pay! Just ask if they are going to get you the tickets upfront, or if you need to pay for the tickets first, and claim back.

Hollowvictory · 13/04/2019 16:59

Ask how they buy train tickets. You don't pay for it yourself! Is it your first job?

Original poster
XavierSaviour · 13/04/2019 17:03

You don't pay for it yourself! Is it your first job?

No, but I've only worked corporately before and in all honesty, previous employers just paid it right away or you sometime reclaimed (but that was when I earned a lot and not next to nothing).

OP posts:
Happynow001 · 13/04/2019 17:03

Check first if the tickets, etc can be pre-booked for you either through the company's main account if they have one (preferred as you or the Booker might just need to provide a project code) or charged to your new manager's corporate card if issued.

If they can only be reimbursed afterwards, as they should be given this is required business expense, check what the process is to get reimbursed and how long before payment is made back to you given you have (I'm supposing) limited funds and/or other calls on your finances.

Check also what else is covered for that day. Eg. Meals/per diem or travel between your home and departure station and your training location and arrival station.

No doubt (hopefully given the confusion around your Offer) this is just an oversight on their part.

LIZS · 13/04/2019 17:06

Does the company have a travel account to prebook fares and accommodation? A return would be less than 2 singles especially if booked in advance. Is anyone else going who could take you and claim petrol?

Theninjawhinger · 13/04/2019 17:07

I used to be a manager and this was totally normal - just say you don’t have the money and can they get the ticket for you rather than expense it. There’s no shame in it - it really is a run of the mill situation and your company will be used to it.

Applesbananaspears · 13/04/2019 17:10

They’ll pay, they won’t have mentioned as it’s a given. Ask them if they can book your travel for you or ask how you put in your expenses

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 13/04/2019 17:10

Everything in writing with this bunch.

CoffeeCoffeeTea · 13/04/2019 17:13

If there is a company admin ask them to book you a return ticket via the company credit card. We used to do this all the time. The company should also pay for meals and any other subsistence whilst away, ie how will you get from the station to the training course? Depending on the size of the company they may have a petty cash that you can use which is then paid back once expenses come through. But no way should you be paying for any travel/costs incurred.
If there is no Admin I would just go and explain to your manager, part of their job is to support their team.

SusieSusieSoo · 13/04/2019 17:15

Often work just book tickets for you - I agree it's likely they've not mentioned it because it's assumed that they pay.

Be honest if you can't afford to pay the costs up front & that's what they want you to do. If they want you to go they'll find a way - either book it for you or give you an advance

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